Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Controlling seizures without medication

Wed, 04/22/2009 - 13:27

I hope that this does not turn out to be a controversial subject. 

Let me just start by saying that I don't know what kind of seizure disorder I have.  I have had only 3 EEGs between the time I was 19 and now 35.

After the first EEG, my doctor told me I had epilepsy and put me on Tegretol.  I took the medication only for a year, and then moved over to Klonopin, which I have taken ever since.  When I was 22, I had another EEG, and the doctor told me I was fine. I was living overseas at the time of my 2nd EEG and I really can't vouch for the expertise of the doctor.

Despite what the doctor told me of my EEG, my seizures continued and had never stopped.

The seizures I was having were incredibly breif lasting only a second or two.  My eyes would roll back into my head, I would NOT fall to the ground.  I'd lose muscle control from the neck and above, and kind of twitch my head back and forth with very small jerks that were almost unnoticeable.

In any event, I was sick with the flu recently, and during my doctor's visit, I had one of these seizures, and he insisted I see a nuerologist again.

I had an EEG and MRI, and I've been told again that I have a seizure disorder.  I just started taking Lamictal.

I'm very keen to how my body responds to foods, stress, and specific situations.  

If I were able to simply avoid all the situations that trigger my seizures which in most cases are stress-induced,  I believe that I could live seizure-free without medication.

But that is not possible.  What IS possible - is for me to overcome the situations that trigger my seizures with a different mental outlook. Although I have not been able to successfully change my mental approach to the situations that cause my seizures all the time,  I have had success in many instances. 

To sum it up, I strongly believe that it would be possible to take control of my seizure disorder through a non-medicated approach. Perhaps my seizures are just different.  I don't even know at this point what kind of seizures I have.  All I know is that both of my EEGs in the US showed with certainty that I have a seizure disorder. I have left a message with my doctor today, to get more information on his diagnosis, and will post it here when I receive that information (see below).

I will continue taking my Lamictal.  What I want to know is if anybody agrees that it could be possible to correct a form of seizures with a non-medicated mental approach; any doctors or patients?

I am not a scientologist.  In fact, I'm not even sure what their approach to a seizure disorder is.  I am just stating what I think I have the power to do, and want to find out if anybody shares those ideas.

 

Update

I spoke with my doctor today.  The seizures that I have been having are simple and complex focal seizures.  

Comments

Re: Controlling seizures without medication

Submitted by suebee27 on Sun, 2013-07-28 - 16:06
How was the past year?? I am curious if the pill worked. Which one did you try? I came to the same conclusion, that my seizures/migraines must be hormonal. It was obvious to me, but I needed to switch neuros to have a doctor agree with me! Now I need a Gynecologist that will work with us...

Re: Controlling seizures without medication

Submitted by TheGoodMom on Fri, 2012-04-20 - 19:48
I don't think that you can control seizures through the power of positive thinking.  I do think that relaxaztion techniques could help so can getting good sleep on a regular schedule, eating right, etc.  I suggest that you look into the ketagenic diet or modified Atkins diet if you want to try something.  Many people have success with one or the other of these but they would be a commitment for life that you don't "cheat" on and, for safety, you must be under a doctor's supervision with liver panels every 3 to 6 months and urine testing on a daily basis [requires you to hold a "pee stick" in your urine stream once a day. 

Re: Controlling seizures without medication

Submitted by Bgaiam on Sat, 2013-06-29 - 02:53
I think it depends on your situation. My seizures were relatively rare in the first place (approx 1.5 years apart, 6 in 9 years) so it took a while for me collect "data" on them. But what I have learned us this: 1) I get very strong feelings that I might get one, and now I know what those feelings are. Getting those feeling didn't always end In a seizure for me. 2) thanks to years of tracking my period In a spreadsheet, I was able to enter my data in an app that predicted ovulation times, and it turned out that every single one of my half dozen seizures or auras occurred during ovulation. 3) every single one occurred After a night of drinking of poor sleep (either too much or too little) So after reviewing all the conditions that mine require for my seizures to occur (bad sleep plus ovulation) combined with my commitment to tracking my cycle and taking strict precautions during my ovulation times, my doctor has left me with atavan to use in case I get a "feeling" that one may start. I take the atavan, lie down for a couple hours, and I'm good. Seizure free for 3 years and planning for many more. Menopause might change things a bit though so I will have to check in with the neuro again when I hit that point.

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.